Bear School Astartes

This is quite a hidden terrain; several hundred refugees are scattered in the woods.

The cold weather and dampness in the woods torment them to the point of agony, but not a single one utters a sound.

Silent and enduring, like a pile of corpses.

Only a few small fires were lit in certain spots, and these small fires were surrounded by children, the injured, and the elderly, making sure not a single bit of light or warmth was leaked out.

The refugees are gaunt, their facial bones protruding due to malnutrition.

Though their bodies are visibly dirty, with blood stains, dark patches, and sweat marks...at least because of the weather, they are not too smelly.

As the sound of twenty or so horse hoofs arose, a wave rippled through the camp immediately.

A few armored swordsmen among the crowd stood up to calm everyone, preventing further chaos.

And in Lann’s senses, there are now five or six stone crossbows aimed at them.

A small group with swords and shields, long halberds, and various weapons rushed out from in front of Geralt’s horse, appearing fierce.

However, when they saw the Demon Hunter’s iconic, shining eyes in the darkness, their fierce hostility quickly dissipated.

”Master Demon Hunter!”

They called affectionately, making Lann see Geralt become somewhat uncomfortable.

”Cough, I told you not to call me that. I’m not a ’master’.”

Presumably, he had rarely been treated this way in his past life.

Considering it’s already good enough for Demon Hunters not to be shunned when walking down the street.

Geralt and Ged dismounted swiftly, while Lann lifted Ciri off the horse, and Dandelion was acting the most traditional among them.

This small group approached with torches, only then did they notice Lann’s presence.

The young man’s height and physique nearly made them scream, but immediately, that flawless, handsome face relaxed their throats.

No giants or monsters would have such a face.

They thought so.

”He’s a friend from my same school, helped me on the way, so I brought him along.”

Ged stepped forward unobtrusively, holding Lann’s arm, introducing him quickly.

”You can call him... Bordeaux, just Bordeaux.”

”Ah, it’s impressive that the Bear School can grow so tall! If my son were still alive, I would surely...”

A Long Halberd Soldier praised.

Soon he was handed several reins by Geralt.

”We’ve brought back many horses; slaughter them for meat.”

Geralt instructed in a deep voice, and these soldiers who revered the Demon Hunter said nothing, took the reins, and led the horses away.

Walking while emitting several odd bird calls, signaling ’no abnormalities’.

At that moment, it signified their official return to the refugees.

Lann looked at these refugees in the winter woods, not lighting any fires at night, relying on tattered clothes and their bodies to endure, and frowned.

”At this rate, at least twenty people will freeze to death by tomorrow morning!”

”Every day here, not only twenty people die, but more will join the ranks the next day.”

Ged spoke softly beside Lann, near a tree root they passed, where a woman slumped from her original sitting position, stiffly making a ’thud’ sound.

The surrounding refugees were numb, showing no wave of emotion, quickly stripping the woman of her clothes.

The only relief was: They didn’t intend to do anything to the woman’s body.

Ged continued.

”We can’t light large fires; the firelight will draw the Niflgaard people. We must prioritize the injured, the elderly, and the children in the center for fire...that’s also why I don’t want to formally introduce you to them, buddy.”

”I lack Geralt’s experience and expertise; without the advanced Bear School Armor you gifted me, I wouldn’t even have the qualification to face him in thirty duels.”

”I don’t have Dandelion’s insights either, witnessing the demeanor of great nobles and even kings at their banquets. Thus I cannot distinguish what kind of person Hacksaw truly is in their mouths.”

”I can only prepare for the worst...”

Ged, this enthusiastic and expressive Bear School member.

He earnestly looked into Lann’s eyes, patting his arm.

”You remember, right? Hunting Marquis’s fame is renowned even in Sintra as a hero. Don’t let others with ulterior motives exploit that title.”

”I know you’re a kind person, buddy. But you must face reality, even if Hacksaw is also a great guy, few from this refugee group might survive to escape Sintra.”

”Don’t let them use your title to give these people hope, then let them die in false hope.”

Ged sincerely gazed at Lann.

He understood Lann, knowing that such situations would cause him pain.

”The Grand Army is the greatest violence in this world; monsters, magic, even the most prepared Great Wizards are just ants before the Grand Army. You’re powerless too.”

”Hacksaw is currently the one caught in the fire of circumstances. We all know him, consider him an acquaintance. But if he wants to use your or Ciri’s name to get himself off the rack, putting you both under the fire, Geralt and I definitely won’t agree.”

”If forced to choose one among you to stand out as the conspicuous target, I would choose him. Though I apologize, he’s merely my acquaintance, that’s all. Do you understand, Lann?”

In every word, Ged advised Lann not to interfere, not to give false hope with his name, not to bear the heavy trust of these people.

He wanted to protect his friend, even though that friend was now built like a giant, moved like a swift breeze.

Yet some harm is unrelated to the physique.

Especially to kind-hearted people.

Lann understood these things, so he affectionately bumped Ged’s shoulder with his elbow, then said.

”Thank you for the concern, buddy. I’m aware of it.”

...Hell with your awareness!

Ged was momentarily stunned; then slapped his own face, appearing dejected.

He should have thought...if persuasion alone were enough to change a person’s worldviews, the most direct threatening force in the world wouldn’t be swords but tongues.

Whatever.

Ged pushed Lann away irritably, thinking to himself.

When he truly witnesses that Grand Niflgaard Army instead of just small scouting units, perhaps then he’ll understand?

There will be such a day eventually, as long as they keep approaching Sintra’s borders, they’ll surely witness that scene.

But Ged also harbored a feeling he couldn’t articulate: He didn’t know if he hoped Lann would change after witnessing such extreme violence, or...didn’t expect him to change?

Geralt led Ciri in front; Dandelion walked in the middle, while Lann and Ged brought up the rear.

Just then, chaos erupted from the direction where the horses were led away.

”These horses are top-quality Niflgaard war horses; they aren’t meant for eating! They should be equipped to the cavalry unit!”

A young male voice, undeniably exclaimed.